Ron DeSantis: The Biography

by University Press

University Press returns with another short and captivating biography of one of history’s most compelling Ron DeSantis.

Ron DeSantis is the most promising politician in America today – and the odds-on favorite to be the next President of the United States. By the time of his landslide re-election as Florida’s governor in 2022, the full-blooded Italian Florida native had already played in the Little League World Series, served as captain of the Yale University baseball team, graduated from Yale University, graduated from Harvard Law School, served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, served as a senior legal advisor to the Seal Team One Commander of the Special Operations Task Force, deployed to Iraq, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, got married, had three kids, served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, was elected to three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, chaired the House Subcommittee on National Security, and, in 2018, got elected to his first term as Governor of Florida.

How did he do it?

This short biography of Ron DeSantis is a must-read, for it tells the intensely human story of a truly exceptional man who is changing the world in a way that no one else can.

Genres: Politics

49 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Robert D. Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written Biography

The Story of an Italian Immigrant from prior to his birth to perhaps a possible move to the White House outlines the life of Ron DeSantis.
This a good read and a fair reflection of the Governor of Florida who is an honest Conservative Politician.

[Clifford Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Admiring Life of Ron DeSantis

Sometimes book reviews are written from what appears to be an Olympian point of view -- as if from a great height, and as if the reviewer is coolly objective concerning all the matters which he or she discusses.

When discussing a controversial figure such as Ron DeSantis, however, I personally believe that objectivity is the first thing to go out the window.

In a case like this, I think that it is simply better for the reviewer to state his or her biases upfront, and to try to deliver a reasonably objective book review anyway.

So here goes...

I am an African-American "liberal" who finds politicians like Ron DeSantis -- who in my opinion has a strong authoritarian strain, and who has been suspected by some members of some minority groups of being biased against Black politicians, Black history, Black education (in the form of "critical race theory (CRT)", which he apparently willfully misunderstands since CRT is not being taught in any public schools in the US) -- to be objectionable because of their antidemocratic strongman predilections.

I also think that DeSantis's tendency to pander to Donald Trump (at least when Trump was in power) and to Trump's MAGA crowd (ongoing) is both distasteful and poses a potential potential danger to democracy in America.

That said, I will try to review this University Press book with as open a mind as I can muster.

This short book does an excellent job of describing the background, education, military service, political ascendancy and current anointed status of one Ronald Dion DeSantis, who is currently serving as the governor of the State of Florida.

DeSantis's "conservative " bona fides are emphasized throughout -- and the fact that he has maintained a strong "conservative" line in his immigration policies (despite his own ethnic background as the descendant of Italian immigrants) is viewed as a sign of integrity and loyalty to the "conservative" views bred into him by his family, his military background and his education in history.

This book depicts DeSantis's not declaring a COVID-19 state of emergency in Florida, support of measures to ban transsexuals students from competing against girls or young women who have been biologically female from birth, supporting anti-abortion measures that do not allow for exceptions for cases of rape, incest or considerations of maternal or fetal mental health as evidence of his commonsense, "conservative" status as "a man of conscience".

This book specifically depicts DeSantis as "critical thinker, man of logic and man of order" -- a man who has a Yale and Harvard Law School education, but retains enough of the "common touch" to be relatable to Joe Sixpack.

The contrast with the "liberal" view of the life and legacy of Donald Trump could not be more stark.

The book frames the life of DeSantis as an all-American life by using a vignette of the 12-year-old DeSantis waiting for an opportunity to catch a ball in the outfield of a Little League World Series game -- and now possibly a presumptive favorite for winning the White House for the Republican Party in 2024.

This book will make for an excellent read for those with "conservative" views, for "libertarians" (who may however oppose the DeSantian tendency toward authoritarianism) and for those with "liberal" views who mistakenly believe that DeSantis is the "Second Coming" of Donald Trump.

For that last named group, this "corrective" may be very unwelcome -- but necessary if they are to approach the next election without partisan blinders.

This book can be read in a very short amount of time (it's only 48 pages long) but could very well repay that effort several times over with its explanation of the appeal of Ron DeSantis to both "conservative" voters and a growing number of "independents".

It's worth taking the time to read.

[Travis Taylor, PhD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good information on DeSantis, but written like a tenth grade term paper.

[DonnaMarie Corvino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Future President or VP

This is a good short story. He is a true Patriot to Florida & America! He is doing a fine job for FL. Remember no one is perfect. I can see him as our future President or VP to Donald Trump!

[Skip Thurnauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared not to enjoy this book, but despite my preconceptions found myself engaged and positively disposed. DeSantis grew up in a middle class family; mom a nurse and dad a Neilson TV technician. DeSantis was a standout baseball player, going to the Little League World Series and captaining his high school baseball team. He continued playing baseball at Yale, giving him the opportunity to meet another Yale baseball player, George H.W. Bush. After working his way through Yale and graduating Cum Laude, he proceeded on to Harvard Law School. Instead of a high-paying law career, DeSantis enlisted in the Navy, eventually serving in Iraq. It didn’t take long after his Naval discharge for DeSantis to become involved in Florida politics. He waged a door-to-door campaign for the U.S. House seat and easily defeated his well-funded opponents in the primary, as well as in the general election. In Congress, he became a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus with the goal of “keeping bad bills from coming to the floor and making sure that bills that did come to the floor were actually written to accomplished what we promised voters back home.” Frustrated with the bureaucracy in the House as well as the Federal government, DeSantis set his sights on the governorship of the Sunshine State. Again an underdog, he gritted his way to the governorship and, four years later, won reelection with a sizeable majority. DeSantis is driven by his conservative values, often referring to Madison, Hamilton and the Federalist Papers and limited Federal government. According to these Founding fathers, the states were to retain authority that extended “to all objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people…” Following this doctrine, he believes “the accumulation of centralized power is a threat to liberty.” Many of his decisions as governor are rooted in these principles – his Covid policies, his stance with corporations, his position on abortion and taxes. With regard to the latter, he notes that the state of Florida has a larger population than New York state and its budget is less than half that of the northern state – in fact, Florida’s budget is comparable to the budget of NYC. On many metrics, Florida outperforms NY and the flow of migration between the two states reinforces the attraction of Florida to residents and businesses in NY and several other high-tax states. You don’t have to like the guy, or even his policies, to credit him with attaining considerable achievements for his state and for himself. DeSantis, similar to many other politicians of his ilk, has a running feud with the “legacy media”. He notes some reporting, like a 60 Minutes piece on his approach to Covid, that was clearly “narrative driven” and biased with selective editing to reinforce the journalist’s point-of-view. He announced his bid for the Presidency just as I was wrapping up my reading. It will be interesting to see how his Florida-centric message resonates with a national audience. I can’t wait to see how he stands up to Trump and how Saturday Night Live and the media savage him. As they might say on board ship, GQ, Battle Stations!”

[Kelly Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent quick blush of his life and some key decisions he’s made and policies he has advocated. Good read for a quick intro but I’ll ultimately probably buy the book Ron himself wrote to understand more about him as a leader.

[William C. Sneed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Ron DeSantis our next president?

A lot of people believe he's the man for the job. I have issues with some of his politics, but aside from my personal opinions, he may bring new life to the republican party. Time will tell.

[Richard L. Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Liked candor and clear evidence of integrity Also impressed with demonstrated courage to act according to his convictions. This man should be our next President

[Aurelius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very superficial, but a good starting point for those who don't know anything about DeSantis yet.

[Mary Kiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each page that I read I liked and respected Ron DeSantis more. I regret that this country doesn't have more men like him.. If you want to know he man who should be president read this book.

[Tiffany Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly written, extremely repetitive, full of fluff.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but not in a scholarly way. The writer get the facts right from what I already know. The writer generally praises DeSantis for sticking to his conservative beliefs, but when discussing an instance when DeSantis had an idea different from most Republicans, the author gives us, "he still is man enough to admit...." That's really the only visible instance of a bias and is more an example of the kind of non-scholarly writing that we get in the book.